British Midland Chooses Rolls-Royce Engines For New Long Haul Aircraft

19th Apr 2000

Rolls-Royce Trent 772B order worth up to £220 million.

British Midland today announced that it has chosen Rolls-Royce engines to power its new long-haul Airbus A330-200 aircraft fleet. In an order worth up to £220 million (US$350 million), British Midland becomes the first UK scheduled airline to choose the Trent 772B, manufactured at the engine-maker`s Derby facility.

In February, British Midland confirmed that it had placed a firm order for four wide-bodied A330-200 aircraft, with options on a further eight. Delivery of the first of these aircraft will begin in spring 2001.

Sir Michael Bishop, chairman of British Midland, said:

“This order confirms further our commitment to long-haul services. We expect to announce details of our launch plans for next year shortly.”

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“For more than two years, we have been campaigning for the right to begin air services to the United States from Heathrow. At the same time, we have been putting in place the infrastructure to operate long-haul services. This is the final piece of that jigsaw.”

“The opportunity to secure this particular engine contract was vigorously competed for by those asked to tender. However, Rolls-Royce provided the best overall option and we are delighted to confirm this choice of engine supplier for our new long haul aircraft.”

“This is a substantial new order worth hundreds of millions of pounds. It will provide employment for thousands of skilled engineering workers in the UK regions.2

“If we are given the right to begin services to the United States from Heathrow, we can add to that jobs boost by creating thousands of new jobs for British workers.”